smirch

verb

ˈsmərch

smirched; smirching; smirches

: to make dirty, stained, or discolored : sully

: to smear with something that stains or dirties

: to bring discredit or disgrace on

smirch noun

their clothes were smirched by dust from the trail this scandal will forever smirch the name of a once-great family

Etymology

Middle English smorchen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of smirch was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Style

“Smirch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smirch. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

smirch

verb

ˈsmərch

: to make dirty, stained, or discolored especially by smearing with something that soils

: to bring discredit or disgrace on

smirch noun

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